(1863) White Metal Civil War Patriotic Token F-180/341e, Union For Ever

Coin Details

Auction Record

$264 MS63 08-22-2018 Stack's Bowers

Description

Civil War patriotic token combining Fuld obverse die 180, a design honoring the "HERO OF PEA RIDGE" — the Battle of Pea Ridge in March 1862 was a decisive Union victory that secured Missouri, with reverse die 341 bearing the legend "UNION FOR EVER". One of the most defiant slogans of the Northern cause, declaring an unshakable commitment to preserving the republic. This die group encompasses shield designs, cannon motifs, and text-based patriotic inscriptions. The variety of designs within this range demonstrates the creative range of Northern die sinkers who competed to produce the most appealing and saleable token designs. Struck in white metal (a lead-tin alloy), producing a silvery appearance. White metal tokens are scarcer than copper and often show softer details due to the alloy's lower hardness. Dated 1863. Patriotic tokens circulated freely throughout the Northern states from mid-1862 through 1864. Merchants accepted them alongside genuine federal cents, and many tokens show heavy wear consistent with extended use in commerce.

Rarity Notes

Fuld 180/341e. Die pairing: obverse 180, reverse 341. White metal (lead/tin alloy) strikes are scarcer than copper. The Fuld rarity scale ranges from R-1 (over 5,000 known) to R-10 (unique); survival depends on the specific die combination, metal, and condition.

Cross References

Fuld 180/341e